The Simpsons

Our Review

The most important animated show ever made, and it is not particularly close. Thirty plus seasons in, The Simpsons invented the modern animated sitcom twice over: once as a phenomenon that dominated the 90s, and again as the foundation every animated comedy since has built on.

The honest viewing guide everyone needs: seasons 3 to 9 are one of the greatest runs in television history, full stop. Peak Simpsons is funnier than anything on TV before or since, and it is packed so dense that jokes you missed at 12 land at 40. The general consensus is that quality dipped after season 10 to 12 depending on who you ask, and the later seasons are a different, softer show. New viewers: start at season 3 and ride the golden era to the end of season 9. That is 200 of the best episodes ever broadcast, and it changes how you see comedy.

Our take: 9/10 for the golden era, which is what anyone means when they call something the Simpsons of its field.